Ethereum News Today: ETH Holds 60% DeFi Share While Solana Gains Ground and Big Tech Eyes Crypto Wallets
As of December 30, 2025, Ethereum still leads the decentralized finance (DeFi) world. Nearly 60% of all DeFi value is locked on Ethereum and its ecosystem. This shows that most money in DeFi still flows through Ethereum. At the same time, Solana is gaining traction with faster networks and rising activity.
In the background, Big Tech is moving into crypto. A major tech company has plans to launch a crypto wallet in 2026, which could open the door for millions of new users.
This moment feels big for crypto. The old guard still holds strength. New challengers are pushing hard. And big companies are getting involved. This article explores what all of this means for Ethereum, Solana, and the future of DeFi.
Ethereum’s DeFi Dominance and Solana’s Rise
Ethereum still controls a large part of decentralized finance (DeFi) even as market conditions shift. As of late 2025, the Ethereum network holds roughly 68% of total DeFi value locked (TVL) across public blockchains, with more than $69 billion locked into its smart contracts despite volatile ETH prices. This strong share shows that many protocols and users still trust Ethereum’s security and deep liquidity. Its role goes beyond DeFi alone, as the chain also serves as the settlement hub for over $191 billion in stablecoins, a backbone for many financial activities on the chain.
This dominance comes from Ethereum’s early advantage and vast ecosystem. Major protocols like Uniswap, Aave, and Maker remain leaders in their niches, and institutional players such as Bitmine and Fasanara Capital have boosted holdings in ETH, underlining confidence in its long-term use. Even as price pressures persist, the structural usage of Ethereum for complex financial products keeps it central to the broader DeFi landscape.
At the same time, Solana is emerging as a significant force. Its TVL has climbed steadily and now represents a notable portion of DeFi growth outside Ethereum. Robust technical design, high throughput, and ultra-low fees have encouraged new activity and adoption, especially for high-frequency trading and fast settlement apps. Protocols like Raydium and Jupiter now rival similar platforms on Ethereum in user activity and revenue generation.
Analysts note that Solana’s expansion reflects not just raw usage, but a strategic appeal to developers and traders seeking scalable alternatives to Ethereum’s sometimes congested ecosystem. This competition underscores a DeFi environment that is becoming more diverse rather than dominated by a single chain.
How Solana Is Gaining Ground?
Solana’s growth in DeFi is real and measurable through several key trends. By September 2025, Solana’s DeFi TVL surged to roughly $12.2 billion, marking a significant increase from previous years and pushing the network to new participation highs. This climb shows that users are moving capital into Solana protocols, not just for speculation but for active financial use cases.
A major reason behind this momentum is Solana’s technical performance. It can handle thousands of transactions per second at near-zero fees, making it attractive for traders and developers alike. This speed drives higher engagement on decentralized exchanges (DEXs) and other financial apps. Data shows Solana’s decentralized exchange volume often surpasses that of Ethereum’s L1 alone, especially during peak activity windows.
Solana’s ecosystem also benefits from vibrant developer activity and expanding revenue generation across its application layer. Tools like Jupiter, Raydium, and Jito contribute to a diversified DeFi environment. In some sectors, these platforms outpace Ethereum alternatives in user counts and trading volume, proving that Solana’s appeal is broadening.
Still, Solana faces challenges. Reports indicate the network saw a downturn in application revenue in mid-2025, highlighting that rapid growth can also lead to temporary performance swings. However, ecosystem improvements and ongoing upgrades aim to bolster long-term stability and use case depth.
Overall, Solana’s rise matters because it shows the DeFi landscape is no longer a one-chain story. Networks are carving out niche strengths that cater to specific user needs, from ultra-fast trading to scalable decentralized apps, reshaping how developers and users structure their on-chain activity.
Big Tech Eyes Crypto Wallets: Mainstream Impact
Big technology companies are now predicted to enter the cryptocurrency wallet market within the next year. Experts suggest that by 2026, at least one major tech firm could launch or integrate a crypto wallet into its platform, broadening access to blockchain assets and services. This development could help billions of users interact with digital currencies in everyday apps.
These moves are not just speculative. Venture capital leaders are signalling that mainstream tech ecosystems are preparing for deeper crypto adoption. Big brands already have large existing user bases, security infrastructure, and platform reach, all elements that could accelerate everyday crypto use. Integrating wallets into widely used apps could reduce friction for new users, helping them hold, send, and spend digital assets without needing standalone crypto software.
Many companies have already laid the groundwork for blockchain engagement. For example, messaging apps and financial services have incorporated wallet features, and payment partners are easing the buying process for cryptocurrencies. These steps hint at broader acceptance and normalization of digital finance.
If Big Tech enters the wallet space, it could boost crypto adoption by making on-chain interaction a common part of digital life. This “mainstreaming” may not only benefit Ethereum and Solana ecosystems but also push regulatory and institutional frameworks toward clearer structures, encouraging further investment in blockchain innovation.
Challenges Facing Ethereum and Solana
Despite strong positioning, both Ethereum and Solana face significant hurdles. For Ethereum, technical upgrades such as validator method shifts tied to upcoming ZK-proof systems create execution risks. Critics warn that the next stage of scaling could strain validator networks if not implemented carefully. These challenges reflect the balancing act between growth and reliability for a protocol that underpins so much of DeFi.
Solana, on its side, recorded a marked decline in application revenue in mid-2025 even as TVL rose. This drop suggests that raw usage statistics don’t always translate to strong economic output for developers and platforms. Sustained ecosystem health depends on both user activity and revenue capture.
Furthermore, competition among Layer-1 and Layer-2 ecosystems remains fierce. If established DeFi hubs do not innovate efficiently, they could lose share to newer networks that solve current pain points like gas fees or transaction speed.
Still, these challenges are part of crypto’s broader evolution as developers, institutions, and users refine what on-chain finance means for the next decade.
Conclusion: Signals to Watch in 2026
Ethereum remains the dominant force in DeFi as 2025 closes, with Solana rising fast in areas like TVL growth and trading volume. Both ecosystems show unique strengths that will shape the next phase of decentralized finance. Mainstream tech’s move into crypto wallets by 2026 could dramatically expand user access and adoption.
At the same time, technical upgrades and ecosystem resilience will determine how well these networks retain or grow market share. Watch for stablecoin settlement trends, institutional flows, and regulatory developments, as these will also steer global crypto dynamics. The future of DeFi is likely to be multi-chain, deeply integrated with traditional finance, and increasingly built for real-world use cases.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
As of December 2025, Ethereum leads DeFi due to deep liquidity, trusted security, strong developer tools, and wide stablecoin use that keeps major protocols active and reliable.
As of 2025, Solana is growing fast with low fees and high speed, but overtaking Ethereum depends on long-term stability, developer adoption, and whether capital keeps moving into Solana DeFi.
If launched in 2026, Big Tech crypto wallets could raise ETH and SOL adoption by simplifying access, improving trust, and bringing millions of new users into blockchain services.
Disclaimer
The content shared by Meyka AI PTY LTD is solely for research and informational purposes. Meyka is not a financial advisory service, and the information provided should not be considered investment or trading advice.
